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en-usRandom drivel about what's sparked my interest in the world of sports.Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:21:25 ESTSports Ponderings of a Raven Lunatic : CBSSports.com Blogshttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/31431931?source=rss_blogs_NFL#commentsNFLhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/31431931?source=rss_blogs_NFL
Pre-game: Storms in the area... I wonder how the wind and potential rain will impact the game. Perhaps we might actually see some kickoff returns? I'll be looking for several things tonight: How do Cory Williams and Jimmy Smith take advantage of the opportunity to be starting CBs tonight? How does Jah Reid handle the start at RT? How does O'Neil Cousins handle the move to RG? Can the offense put together sustained drives and can the recievers get open for some big plays, particularly Torrey Smith? I also want to see the running game with Ray Rice and Vonta Leech get going.<p></p>Kickoff: Interesting seeing all the former Ravens in Chiefs uniforms. Let's see if we get a few little scuffles between them. Defense on the field first. Guess what... touchback. Game on.<p></p>Pre-Season game two: Ravens vs. ChiefsFri, 19 Aug 2011 23:05:11 EDThttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/31431931?source=rss_blogs_NFLhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/31270765?source=rss_blogs_NFL#commentsNFLhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/31270765?source=rss_blogs_NFL
Pre-game: I just heard about a rule change that I was not aware of. Apparently all close calls ruled a TD on the field are left up to the replay both rather than a coaches challenge. I like this change. These are the most important calls of the game and it should not be up to a coach to force the issue. The refs should want to get these right. I think this will help the coaches make better use of the challenge flag in other critical situations. <p></p>Kickoff: Not a fan of this rule change. Like the excitement of kickoff returns? Don't expect to see many of them.<p></p>1Q 11:53 - Ravens 3-0: Good start for Flacco. Great Catch by Pitta and good read on the dump off to Rice. I like that Cundiff has settled into the Kicker role and hit a 53-yarder to put the Ravens on top.<p></p>Pre-Season game one: Ravens vs. EaglesThu, 11 Aug 2011 22:42:46 EDThttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/31270765?source=rss_blogs_NFLhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/27463982?source=rss_blogs_NFL#commentsNFLhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/27463982?source=rss_blogs_NFL
So, I've decided to make another effort at this whole blogging thing. My previous attempt lasted a total of three posts, so no promises. A few topics on the mind tonight. The Super Bowl was this past Sunday, and it left me with several lingering feelings. <p></p>1. Green Bay may be a dynasty in the making if they can keep their core together. They overcame injuries that you can only assume can't happen to them again just by the law of averages. Aaron Rodgers is for real and I am so happy to finally be talking about him without Brett Farve's name attached to him. He deserves that.<p></p>2. What is going to happen this off-season with all of the uncertainty with the CBA? I am 27 and really had a very limited interest in the NFL until about 15 years ago. I cannot recall ever wondering if there would be football next season before and the thought of not having football next season is fightening. It will be interesting to see how teams approach the off-season. I suspect free-agency signings will be extremely limited in the immediate future. That also makes the draft a larger focus this year. I think it will be especially important to have a good draft this year for teams if they have key holes to fill. Should be very interesting.<p></p>Return to actionWed, 09 Feb 2011 23:10:16 ESThttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/27463982?source=rss_blogs_NFLhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/14454810?source=rss_blogs_MLB#commentsMLBhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/14454810?source=rss_blogs_MLB
Recently, Orioles fans have been criticized by the media for their hostility toward the Yankees, Mark Teixeira. Let me explain why this criticism is unjust. First of all, I would not necessarily classify the booing as hostility. Players get booed all the time. Ask A-Roid about that. There was going to be booing of a Yankee player no matter what team Teixeira was on. Fans all over the country are going to let Rodriguez hear it raining down upon him once he is back on the field. So, why is that ok, but booing Teixeira is considered being 'hostile'? <p></p>Now let me explain the anger and frustration that the orioles fans feel toward Teixeira. The Orioles future is looking brighter with young talent reaching or close to reaching maturity. The players and fans alike feel that the frachise is headed in the right direction. Teixeira is a hometown star that everyone has enjoyed watching mature into one of the best players in the league. They've been anticipating the end of his contract for a few years hoping the Orioles will be in a position to bring him in. When that day arrives, the Orioles aggressively go after him. He could be the hometown star that leads the Orioles to the promised land. Then, the smack in the face... not only do the Orioles not get him, but he goes to the Evil Empire. Like a Jedi falling to the Dark Side, Teixeira has fallen Prey to the dollar sign and &quot;promise of a championship&quot; that is offered by the Yankees. Tell me what fan base would not revel in the opportunity to boo this player? The fact that he got off to a slow start and the Orioles won the first 2 games against the Evil Empire just fueled the fire. What the Orioles Fans did during the series against the Yankees is simply what fans do. They support their team (many times at the expense of the visiting team) and are passionate about it. <p></p>Booing Mark Teixeira - An ExplanationFri, 10 Apr 2009 10:18:34 EDThttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/14454810?source=rss_blogs_MLBhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/14246928?source=rss_blogs_NCAAB#commentsNCAABhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/14246928?source=rss_blogs_NCAAB
I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that all the talk about Memphis not getting respect and being good enough to be a #1 seed over dramaticized their situation. Are they a good team? Yes. Do they have great talent? Yes. Are they a battle tested, top 5 team? No. I'm sorry, Memphis, but you have to earn respect. Beating the pulp of an average basketball conference (1 bid this year) year after year and making history does not impress me. Sure, its hard to win all those games in a row, but when you are playing with a team of men in a league of boys, its not THAT hard. The reason nobody REALLY respects Memphis is because there is no barometer to measure them with. They play a few high calibur teams early on, when neither they nor the team they play are in top form, and then begin the bullying of Conference USA. <p></p>OK Memphis, Respect must be earned.Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:17:18 EDThttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/14246928?source=rss_blogs_NCAABhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/12862728?source=rss_blogs_NFL#commentsNFLhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/12862728?source=rss_blogs_NFL
First of all, I've seen a lot of fans complaining about the expired play clock play, so I will address this. I've seen this happen in just about every week this season and previous ones. On the field, you do not have the benefit of seeing the play and clock simultaneously. So, as the CBS announcers (who I thought were really good today) pointed out, they look at the clock until it expires and then look down to see if the ball is snapped. To the fans that can see both at the same time on the TV screen, it is clear that it had expired. To the umpire, it is not so easy. Many times the ball is snapped just after the clock expires and not called. It is part of the human element of the game. This call was no different, but because it was at a critical juncture, it gets a lot of attention. Aside from this call, the refs officiated a very good game and were good about not flagging for the scrums after plays knowing the situation.<p></p>Titans - Ravens observationsSat, 31 Jan 2009 14:28:40 ESThttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/12807046/12862728?source=rss_blogs_NFL100http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/cbsdm/spec/cbssportscom.gifhttp://ravenlunatic11.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/12807046
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